LOUDOUN WATER - CENTRAL SYSTEM: Lead Service Line Inventory
Loudoun Water - Central System serves approximately 334,808 people across Virginia. If you live or work in this service area and want to know whether your home has a lead service line, here's what you need to know.
What is a lead service line?
A lead service line is the pipe that connects your home to the water main under the street. If installed before the 1980s, there's a significant chance it contains lead. Water flowing through lead pipes can pick up lead particles, which poses health risks—especially for young children and pregnant people.
Your water system's inventory status
Loudoun Water - Central System has not yet completed a public inventory of lead service lines in its service area. This means the utility hasn't published a searchable list showing which addresses have known lead pipes, galvanized pipes, or confirmed lead-free lines.
This doesn't mean your water is unsafe right now. Loudoun Water treats water to minimize lead leaching. However, an inventory is the first step toward identifying and replacing lead service lines over time.
What happens next?
Federal law requires all water utilities to complete lead service line inventories. Loudoun Water is working toward this requirement, though a completion date hasn't been publicly announced yet. Once finished, the utility will publish the inventory so residents can find out their own service line status.
In the meantime, you can take steps to protect yourself:
- Test your water for lead if you're concerned (contact your utility for certified labs)
- Use cold water for drinking and cooking — lead leaches more readily from hot water
- Let water run for 30 seconds before using it after the tap has been off for several hours
- Contact Loudoun Water directly to ask about your specific address and learn more about their inventory timeline
Next steps for residents
- Contact Loudoun Water to ask about your service line and the status of their lead inventory program
- Get your water tested if you have a young child or are pregnant — your local health department can provide certified labs
- Read CDC guidance on reducing lead exposure at home (cdc.gov/lead)
- Check back here for updates once Loudoun Water publishes its lead service line inventory
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Right now, Loudoun Water hasn't published a searchable inventory, so you can't check online. Contact the utility directly with your address and ask. You can also hire a plumber to inspect your service line or get your water tested for lead.
Is lead in tap water dangerous?
Lead can harm brain development in children, even at low levels. For health questions about your family, talk to your pediatrician or call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO. The CDC website has detailed guidance on lead risks.
What should I do while waiting for the inventory?
Use cold water for drinking and cooking (hot water pulls more lead from pipes), let water run 30 seconds after it's been off for hours, and consider testing your water. These steps reduce exposure while the utility completes its lead service line assessment.
Will Loudoun Water replace my lead service line for free?
Once the inventory is complete, Loudoun Water will develop a replacement plan. Contact the utility to ask about programs, grants, or timelines for replacements in your area.